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w. R. EAsTlN ENGINE Fil Aug. 26, 1924 Patented Sept. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM RALEIGH EASTIN, O'F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ENGINE.

Application led August 26, 1924. Serial No. 734,272.

To all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, WYILLIAM RALEIGH EASTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engines, of which the following is a speciication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in engines and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which may be converted from a gas engine into a steam engine and vice versa.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character embodying a block providing a plurality of cylinders in which operate the requisite pistons for operating the drive shaft'of the motor together with a head adjustably mounted upon the block, said head when in one position providing an engine of an explosive type and when in a second position aifording an engine of a steam type.

An additional obj ect of the invention is to provide a novel and improved engine which is adapted to be initially operated as an eX- plosive engine together with means whereby said engine may be converted into a steam engine.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved engine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use., as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating an engine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through the engine block i and head, showing the head in position to convert the engine into a steam type;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the head adjustable into position to convert the engine into an explosive type;

' Figure 4: is a vertical sectional view taken through the engine as herein disclosed and in assembly for a steam type;

Figure 5 is a view somewhat similar to Figure l showing the assembly for an eX- plosive type;

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6' of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the locking means for holding the head in one of its positions, A

Figure 8 is a view intop plan of the structure as illustrated in Figure l;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view with parts in elevation taken through the boiler or steam generator as herein set forth;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detailed horizontal sectional view taken through the upper portion of the block and chest,

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes an engine block provided with water jacketed cylinders 1 in each of which operates a. piston 2. Each of the pistons 2 is connected by a rod 3 of a sliding cross head 4. This cross head 4L is mounted for reciprocatory movement within the trackways 5 depending from the block B, said trackways causing the cross head 4 to have rectilinear movement in a fixed path of travel. l

Each of the cross heads 4f has pivotally connected therewith, as at 6, a pitman 7 operatively engaged, as at 8, with a crank 9 comprised in the drive 'shaft 10. The

shaft 10 is rotatably supported Vin a conventional manner within a casing (l the lower portion of which being adapted to contain, as is well-known, a supply of lubricant as indicated at 11 in Figure 4:.

The block B at one side thereof is provided with a steam chest S the lower portion of which being in communication with the lower part of a cylinder 1 through a port 12. The upper portion of the chest S extends above the top of the block and the inner wall thereof is provided with a port la for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to.` The outer wall 15 of the chest is removable `so that access therein may be readily had as desired. i

Resting upon the top of the block B is the head H, the opposed faces of said block and head being provided with the interfitting grooves and ribs, as indicated at 16, wherev` by an effective seal is assured. The head H is provided in its under portion with the alternately arranged chambers 17 and 18, the chambers 17 constituting one series and the chambers 18 constituting a second series. Upon proper shifting of the head H either of said series of chambers may be brought into proper alignment with the cylinders 1.

The head H is in close contact with the extended portion of the chest S and in communication with each ofthe chambers 18 through the inner wall of the head H are the ports 19 which register with the ports 14 when the head is in a position to arrange the chambers 18 above the cylinders 1. The head H is provided along its inner longitudinal margin with an outstanding fiange 2O which over-lies the top of the chest S while the opposite side of the head H at its bottom is provided with the flange 21 overlying the adjacent side marginal portion of the topv of the block B. Said marginal portion of the block B and also the top of the chest S are provided therealong with the upstanding arms 22 with which are pivotally engaged the holding cams 23. Each set of these cams 23 is pivotally engaged with a rod or bar 24 whereby the same can' be moved in unison into operative or inoperative position. The requisite shifting of each of the rods or bars 24 is accomplished by the lever 25.

The ports 12 in communication with each of the cylinders 1 andthe ports 14 in communication with the head associated with said cylinder are arranged in pairs, one of each pair constituting an inlet and the other an exhaust. The inlet ports and exhaust ports being in communication with separate chambers within the chest S provided by the suitably Vpositioned partitions 26. The inlet compartments 26 are in communication .with an inlet manifold 27 in communication .through the pipe 28 with a suitable source of steam supply.

lith the present embodiment of my invention 1 provide a suitably positioned boiler A overlying and surrounding the heating chamber 29, said chamber being intersected by the water tubes 30. C'oacting with the chamber 29 is a burner 31 of an oil type and arranged within said chamber 29 above the burner are the oppositely disposed battles 32 whereby the heat from the burner is caused to exert a maximum of eiiiciency upon the water within the boiler A and in the tubes 30'. The pipe 28 is extended within the chamber 29 in the form of a coil 33, said coil serving as a superheater. The coil 33 terminates in an upstanding pipe 34 extending within the upper or dome portion of the boiler, the free end portion 35 of the pipe being enlarged to facilitate the entra-nce of the steam therein. Coacting with the dome of the boiler are the lower valves 36 of a conventional type.

In each of the compartments 26 of the chest S are the slide valves 37 connected for unitary movement by the stem 38, said stem extending exteriorly of the chest through the bottom thereof and operatively engaged with the eccentric 39 fixed to the shaft 40. 'fhe shaft 49 is in driven connection through the medium of the chain 41 with the driving shaft 10 and is rotated in such time relation with respect thereto as to assure the opening and closing of the ports 12 and 19 in proper sequence.

The steam received within the exhaust compartments 26 passes thro-ugh the pipe 43 to the condenser 44 arranged within the radiator R. The condenser 44 is continued by the pipe 45 which leads to the storage tank 46. The water collected within the tank 46 is returned to the boiler A through the pipe 47 and under the influence of the interposed pump P. The pump P is driven from the shaft 10 through the medium of the chain 48. The burner 31 has associated therewith the air pipes 49 leading from the air supply tank 50. The tank 50 has in communication therewith the pipe line 51 leading from the compressor 52 whereby is maintained the requisite supply of air under pressure within the tank 50.

The compressor 52 is driven from the shaft 10 through the medium of the chain 53. The chains 48 and 53 are directly engaged with the driven shaft 54 which is in operative connection through the chain 55 with the shaft 10. p

In operative engagement with the boiler A in the front and rear thereof are the gauge glasses 56, said glasses operating in a well-known.manner and being diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

When the head1-1 is shifted to its second position the chambers 17 are brought into proper register with the cylinders 1, each of said cylinders yconstituting a firing chamber for an explosive charge, the admission of the charge and the exhaust of the products of combustion being under control in a well-known manner by the ta-ppet valves 57 carried by the head H. Each of the valves 57 is operated in proper timed sequence bythe rod 58 carried by the chest S and coacting in a well-known manner with the cam shaft 59 herein disclosed as in driven connection with the shaft 40.

In practice my improved motor is adapted to be normally operated by steam but initially to be operated as an explosive engine and until requisite steam has been generated within the Iboiler to permit the engine to be operated by steam. Therefore, the head H is iirst adjusted to have the chambers 18 in register with the cylinders 1 and after suflicient time has passed and it is desired to employ steam asthe motive force the head H is adjusted to second position and bring the chambers 17 in requisite alignment with the cylinders 1.

Any desired means may be employed for shifting the head H but as herein disclosed, I provide the horizontally disposed lever pivotally connected intermedite its ends with the upper portion of the block B and having one end portion operatively engaged with the head I-I while the other end portion has engaged therewith an operating rod 61. It is to be understood that before each shifting movement of the head H the cams 23 are rendered inoperative and after the requisite adjustment of said head H said cams are operated to clamp or hold the head H against movement.

Coacting with the shaft l0` in a well-known manner is a self-starter X of any desired type.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an engine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly wel-l adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of Some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying` out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim l. An engine comprising in combination, a cylinder block, a shiftable head mounted thereon, said head being provided with a pair of chambers for coaction with each cylinder, one of said chambers being provided with a mechanism to convert the engine into an internal combustion type when the head is in one position, the second chamber having a mechanism associated therewith to convert the engine into a steam type when the head is in a second position.

2. An engine comprising in combination, a cylinder block, a shiftable head mounted thereon, said head being provided with a pair of chambers for coaction with each cylinder, one of said chambers being provided with a mechanism to convert the engine into an internal combustion type When the head is in one position, the second chamber having a mechanism associated therewith to convert the engine into a steam type when the head is in a second position, and means for locking the head in either of such positions.

8. An engine comprising in combination, a cylinder block, a shiftable head mounted thereon, said head being provided with a pair of chambers for coaction with each cylinder, one of said chambers being provided with a mechanism to convert the engine into an internal combustion type when the head is in one position, the second chamber having a mechanism associated therewith to convert the engine into a steam type when the head is in a second position, and means for movingl said head from one position to another.

4. An engine comprising in combination, aI cylinder block, a shiftable head mounted thereon, said head being provided with a pair of chambers for coaction with each cylinder, one of said chambers being provided with a mechanism to convert the engine into an internal combustion type when the head is in one position, the second chamber having a mechanism associated therewith to convert the engine into a steam type when the head is in a second position, means for moving said head from one position to another, and means for locking the head in either of said two positions.

5. An engine comprising in combination, a cylinder block, a shiftable head mounted thereon, said head being provided with a pair of chambers for coaction with each` cylinder, one of said chambers` being provided with a. mechanism to convert the engine into an internal combustion type when the head is in one position, the second chamber having a mechanism associated therewith to convert the engine into asteam type when the head is in a second position, and means common to both of said mechanisms for operating the same.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signa-ture.

- WILLIAM RALEIGH EASTIN. 

